Tag: books

Happy Halloween to everyone celebrating! I haven’t got any particularly spooky-themed posts for today as I don’t celebrate Halloween, so have my October wrap-up instead! I read a total of nine books this month (I know, I’m shook (I love this expression by the way, it’s so meme-y)), which is a lot more than expected, at least judging from my TBR. A lot of short books, sure, but books nonetheless. All of them were novels, except one short story collection and one collection of non-fiction stories. As usual I’m just posting my ratings here but all reviews will of course be linked!

Title: The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical TalesAuthor: Oliver SacksGenre: Non-fiction, psychology, neuroscience, science, medicine

Where I got the book: This book was gifted to me and I’m reviewing this on my own initiative.

My rating: ★★★★☆

Summary: An elderly man leans like the Tower of Pisa without being aware of it, a young woman has lost all sense of her own body, a musician finds himself incapable of recognizing everyday objects and familiar faces, and a set of intellectually disabled twins demonstrates uncanny calculation abilities. On a personal and human level, renowned neurologist Oliver Sacks recounts 24 case histories of neurologically impaired patients.

Summary: While Oslo city is overtaken by a heat wave, a woman is found murdered in her flat. One finger has been severed from her left hand and a tiny red diamond in the shape of a pentagram has been inserted behind her eyelid. Detective Harry Hole, currently in an alcoholic stupor and soon-to-be without a job, is assigned to the case with his long-time adversary Tom Waaler. It doesn’t take long before a wave of similar murders follows and Hole appears to have a serial killer on his hands.

*I read this in its original language (Norwegian) under the title “Marekors”.

Where I got the book: I received a free copy from the author/JKS Communications in exchange for an honest review.

My rating: ★★★☆☆

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Ivy Lovely, who has lived a mundane life as a scaldrony maid for most of her life, discovers that she is to become a student at the Halls of Ivy. This is where she will learn how to master her magical blood and the power of Croswald’s mysterious gems. When she is threatened on her life by the Dark Queen, it’s up to Ivy to unearth her family history and save Croswald.

Summary: Ranald McGhie, a writer struggling with mental health problems, discovers that his deceased mother was related to one of Glasgow’s oldest merchant families and that he has inherited Newton Hall, a mansion that belonged to his great-uncle. The mansion is first and foremost devoted to books and seemingly a perfect place for a lonely writer, but beneath the surface the house is hiding something far more sinister. As he explores the many rooms and corridors, Ranald’s grasp on reality slowly appears to be slipping.

Summary: Jake Whyte lives by herself in an old farmhouse on a British island, accompanied only by her dog and her flock of sheep. However, something or someone are killing the sheep. There are foxes in the woods, strange people roaming her property, and rumors of an obscure beast. Thousands of miles away there’s also Jake’s past, a past that is threatening to come back and haunt her.

Summary: By the year 2021, World War Terminus has greatly damaged life on Earth. Rick Deckard, a San Francisco police department bounty hunter, is on a mission to find and “retire” six technologically advanced Nexus-6 androids who have escaped their Mars colony and are now attempting to blend in on Earth. Deckard hopes the money will help him and his wife find greater existential fulfillment by allowing them to purchase a real animal instead of an electric one. However, the mission is not without its dangers.